Bergamo Launches 2025 Civic Crowdfunding Call with €20,000 Budget and New 50/50 Co-Financing Mechanism

The Bergamo Smart City and Community Association, thanks to the contribution of Fondazione Homo, Fondazione MIA, and Bergamo Onoranze Funebri, presented the 2025 Civic Crowdfunding call for proposals at a press conference this morning , with a total budget of €20,000.

Applications to participate in Bergamo Smart City must be submitted by December 31st, 2025, following the procedures set out in the call for applications

This year, too, innovative initiatives with a high social impact will be evaluated in the areas of care and assistance for vulnerable groups, urban accessibility and connectivity, and citizen quality of life.

Projects must include significant technological and organizational architecture, with particular attention to the local authority’s areas of expertise, such as SOCIAL, CULTURAL, or ENVIRONMENTAL.

Civic crowdfunding is a fundraising system that, through a digital portal, allows for funding public interest projects by engaging the community. Each citizen can decide how much to donate and which project to support. At the conclusion of the fundraising campaign, the Bergamo Smart City and Community Association will offer additional support to projects that have reached at least 50% of their funding goal through crowdfunding. The Association’s contribution cannot exceed €5,000 per project.

Entities registered with the RUNTS and non-profit entities, even if not registered with the RUNTS, may submit an application to participate in the call, provided they are formally constituted.

The main new features of the 2025 edition are the following:

50/50 mechanism : projects that manage to raise at least 50% of the requested funding through donations will be co-financed by Bergamo Smart City with the remaining 50% , up to a maximum contribution of €5,000 per project.

Dedicated platform and training: the campaigns will be hosted on the Rete del Dono platform, which provides not only the space for fundraising but also dedicated training and support for selected projects for effective communication and fundraising strategies.

Tax benefits for donors : All donations made through Rete del Dono to registered third sector organizations enjoy the tax benefits provided by Italian law. Donors receive receipts valid for tax deductions or tax credits , depending on their profile (individual or business).

Projects must be technologically, organizationally, and socially innovative, addressing needs overlooked by market forces and the public service system, contributing to increased social cohesion and citizen engagement. The maximum duration of the activities must be 12 months. They must also demonstrate a clear social and innovative impact and include a reward-based mechanism offering donors a modest reward.

Civic Crowdfunding is a tool that allows citizens to feel an active part of change, choosing which projects to support with a concrete gesture.This year, we’ve introduced important innovations: a more accessible threshold with the 50/50 mechanism and the use of the Rete del Dono platform, which offers training and support for selected projects.

Furthermore, donations enjoy the tax benefits provided for third-sector organizations: an additional incentive to support initiatives that generate value for the entire community. It’s a win-win opportunity, in which citizens, organizations, and institutions work together to build a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable Bergamo,” said Giacomo Angeloni, Councilor for Innovation and President of the Bergamo Smart City Association.

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(Featured image by Mattia Bericchia via Unsplash)

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